Coin controlled vending machine



5 Sheets-Sheet 1 H. D. BAUM COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE l nve nfor HAROLD D. BAUM BY Dec. 26; 1967 Filed Aug. 20, 1965 Dec. 26, 1967 H. 0. BAUM COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 20, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 lnven'ror v HAROLD D. BAUM Dec. 26, 1967 H. D. BAUM COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet (5 Filed Aug. 20, 1965 lr lvenior HAROLD D. BAUM BY 72W 5 Dec. 26, 1967 H. D. BAUM COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. .20, 1965 FIG. IO

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I COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE I Filed Aug. .20, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I l FIG. l9

lllllu I 1 C7 7 inventor- BY HAROLD D. BAUM ATTY.

United States Patent 3,360,091 COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE Harold D. Baum, Skokie, Ill. (6610 N. Clark St., Chicago, II]. 60626) Filed Aug. 20, 1965, Ser. No. 481,188 19 Claims. (Cl. 194-2) The invention relates to improvements in vending machines and more particularly to the construction and assembly of coin operated machines for vending a variety of differently priced packaged merchandise of different sizes.

The vending machine is characterized by the presence of a plurality of merchandise hoppers, arranged side by side, which may be easily and quickly adjusted as to size so that different hoppers can accommodate merchandise packages of different size. Coincident with size adjustment of the hoppers is a readily adjustable novel metering device which functions to permit manual actuation of novel vending mechanism associated with a specific hopper only when a coin or coins of the proper denominational value has been deposited in a conventional coin rejector mechanism. Specifically, the merchandise hoppers are arranged vertically and are disposed to discharge merchandise from the bottom ends thereof.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a novelly constructed coin-controlled merchandise vending machine.

Another object is to provide, in a merchandise vending machine, a plurality of merchandise hoppers which may be adjusted easily and quickly to accommodate packages of the same or different sizes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novelly constructed manually actuated merchandise ejector mechanism.

Another object is to provide a novel arrangement of lock devices each separately adjustable to control the selective operation of the vending mechanisms and which are operably connected to a common coin rejector mechanism.

Still another object is to provide a merchandise vending machine with a novel merchandise display panel.

Another object is to provide novel scavenger mechanism operable to effect acceptance or rejection of coins.

The structure by means of which the above noted and other advantages and objects of the invention are attained will be described in the following specification, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, showing a preferred illustrative embodiment of the invention, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the merchandise vending machine.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of said machine, showing the front panel in an open position to illustrate the interior assembly thereof, and showing but one of a plurality of merchandise hoppers therein.

FIGURE 3 is a vertical sectional view of the machine, viewed substantially along line 33 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the hoppers showing its manner of mounting.

FIGURE 5 is a front elevational view of the upper end mounting of one of the hopper walls, viewed substantially along line 55 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 6 is a top plan view of the weight-follower mounted therein.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged side elevational view of the manually actuable vending mechanism and related parts.

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the upper portion of the vending mechanism, showing the empty lock mechanism.

FIGURE 9 is a side elevational view of the outside of the hopper frame showing the coin return and acceptance a hopper, illustrating mechanism and reset mechanism that is operably associated wtih the coin rejector mechanism illustrated in broken lines.

FIGURE 10 is a detail elevational view of the coin controlled vending mechanism metering or lock means, showing parts broken away. 7

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on line 11-11 of FIGURE 10.

FIGURE 10 is a sectional view taken on line 10 -10 of FIGURE 10.

FIGURE 12 is an end elevational view of the coin controlled vending mechanism lock means, showing a cooperating portion of the coin vending mechanism associated therewith.

FIGURE 13 is an exploded perspective view of a related pair of lock elements forming a part of the FIG- URE 10 assembly.

FIGURE 14 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the vending mechanisms and associated block-out mechanism.

FIGURE 15 is a sectional detail view taken on line 15 15 of FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 16 is a detail elevational view of the coin return block-out mechanism.

FIGURE 17 is a detail perspective view illustrating the plunger mechanism mounting.

FIGURE 18 is a fragmentary view of the back side of a plunger mechanism.

FIGURE 19 is a detail illustrating the positioning of spacer bars between adjacent plungers.

Referring to the exemplary disclosure in the accompanying drawings and particularly to the assembly shown in [FIGURES 1 and 2, the apparatus is enclosed in an up standing cabinet 1(1 having an open front normally closed 'by a front panel or door 12. As shown best in FIGURE 2, the door is recessed at 13 and the back wall 13a of said recess preferably is of metal so that a series of representations of merchandise 14 contained in the machine may be magnetically adhered thereto. A transparent covering panel -15 overlies the recess. The back panel 13a is disposed to close the open front of merchandise hoppers 31, when the front panel is in closed position.

The front panel 12 also is provided with various apertures each located to align with various components of the vending apparatus mounted within the cabinet. For example in FIGURE 1 there is a horizontally elongated merchandise discharge opening 16, adjacent to the lower edge thereof; a horizontally extending slot 17 thereabove through which operating plungers extend; a coin return opening 18; a coin deposit opening 19 and, at a higher elevation, an opening 21 through which a coin return operating lever extends.

A frame structure consisting of upstanding end walls 22 and a top wall 23 is mounted firmly within the cabinet 11. It is to be noted, upon reference to FIGURE 2, that the right hand end wall 22 is spaced from the related end wall of the cabinet so as to afford space between them for mounting on the outside surface of said end wall a coin rejector mechanism 23a and associate components to be described hereinafter. It is preferred that the coin rejector mechanism be of a type commercially made available by the National Rejectors, Inc., known as Num ber 13-03 SeriesMechanical Accumulator. Such mechanism is designed to accept 5, 10 and 25 coins in any sequence or combination; thus it is especially suited for use in the herein described apparatus which is intended to dispense merchandise having values of from 5 to,

3 including a stud shaft 67, which is operably connected to a shaft 73, the rotation of the said shaft actuating the dispensing mechanism lock release means, all described in detail hereafter.

Hopper structure A pair of transverse bars 24, 25 bridge the end walls 22 at the back side of the frame structure, one near the top and the other midway its height. Each of these bars has on its upper surface a series of mutually spaced apart notches 26. A lower bar or angle 27 (best shown in FIG- URE 4) bridges the front edges of said end walls. This bar or angle likewise has similarly spaced apart notches 28 on its rearwardly facing edge.

The bars 24, 25 and 27 are provided to afford support means for a series of vertical walls 29 which are arranged side by side so as to provide a series of upstanding merchandise hoppers 31. Since it is one of the features of this invention to provide hoppers of varying widths to accommodate merchandise packages of different thickness the vertical walls are adjustably positioned on said bars. To this end the back edge of each wall 29 (only two shown) is formed with a pair of hook-like formations 31:: (FIG- URE 3) that are selectively engaged in vertically aligned notches 26 in said bars 24 and 25. The lower front edge of each wall 29 is seated in a related notch 28 in the bar or angle 27.

In order to secure the upper front corners of the walls 29, there is provided in the area above said walls, a transverse rod 32 anchored at its ends in the end walls 22 which rod carries a series of forks 33 each of which is engaged over the upper margin of a wall 29 as best shown in FIGURES 3 and 5. These forks are adjustable longitudinally along the rod 32 to conform to the spacing of said walls 29 and they may be secured against displacement by set screws 34. It will thus be apparent that when access is gained to said walls upon opening of the front door 12, said walls 29 may be easily and quickly repositioned in different relative positions to provide a merchandise hopper of a desired width.

Because the length of different packages of merchandise may vary, the hopper Walls 29 are provided with vertically spaced apart horizontal rows of apertures 35 which afford means to receive attaching screws 36 for securing back stop flanges 37 thereto. Each hopper wall 29 has a perpendicular flange 38 on its lower edge to support a stack of merchandise packages 39 thereon. Each hopper wall 29 also has on its front edge coextensive with its length, a T-shaped track 41 along which is slidably guided a follower weight 42 (FIGURE 6) intended to rest at all times on the uppermost package of merchandise in the hopper. This weight 42 has a latch 43 thereon that is movable into position overlying the upper end of the track, as shown in full lines in FIGURE 6, for holding the weight elevated during loading of the hopper. When the latch 43 is in the dotted line position shown, the weight is free to fall by its own weight onto the stack of merchandise.

Ejector mechanisms Located in the frame defined by end walls 22 and secured firmly thereto below the merchandise hoppers is a bar or plate 44 that bridges said end walls and mounts a series of ejector mechanisms 45, one provided for each hopper. These mechanisms are alike and their selective operation is controlled by the presence or absence of a coin or coins of proper denomination having been deposited in the coin ejector mechanism 23.

Each ejector mechanism 45 includes a mounting bracket 46 that is adjustably and firmly secured to the upper surface of bar 44 having spaced openings 44a to receive locating detents 44b on the bracket 46. This bracket includes a forwardly extending overhang 46a and it has slid-able therealong a plunger mechanism 47 which is located to project through panel slot 17 and which includes an upstanding post 48 that terminates just below the lowermost package 39 of merchandise in the related hopper. I the absence of locking means hereinafter described, the plunger mechanism is maintained free to slide along the bracket when manually pulled by a customer. It can however, be pulled outwardly only when an empty lock is released. This lock comprises a pawl 49 (FIGURE 8) journalled in post 43 and which is loosely connected by pin and slot connection 50 to a link 51 connected at its upper end to a load trigger 52 pivoted at 53 on the upper end of the post. When there is merchandise in the hopper, the bottom package rests on said load trigger 52 causing the pawl 49 to be elevated so as to pass over a stop lug 54 on the bracket. When no merchandise is present in the hopper, the pawl is in a lowered position and will abut said stop lug following short initial sliding movement of the plunger mechanism.

The plunger mechanism 47 has on its lower edge a forwardly facing shoulder 55 and rearwardly thereof an upwardly offset recess 56. Mounted on the bracket below the plunger assembly is a lock lever 57 pivoted at 58 and a lock release lever 59 pivoted at 61. The lock lever 57 has a finger 57a that normally lies in the path of the shoulder 55, a spring 62 functioning to maintain this position. The lock release lever 59 has a pin 63 adjacent one end that overlies. the upper edge of the lock lever 57. Normally this pin is held out of engagement with said lock lever by reason of a second pin or projection 64 on the other end of said lock release lever 59 which rides along the bottom edge of the plunger. A spring 65 normally tends to pull the lock release lever downwardly to carry the pin 63 against the lock lever 57. Such engagement occurs when the plunger is initially pulled forwardly a distance sufficient to allow the projection 64 to enter into recess 56. When this occurs, the lock lever 57 is swung downwardly clear of shoulder 55 permitting the plunger mechanism to be pulled outwardly to its maximum distance. Such release is however, prevented unless the proper denominational value of coins have been deposited in the coin rejector mechanism. To this end the lock release lever 59 has a rigid depending tail piece 66 that coacts with release means controlled by the coin rejector mechanism and now to be described. To prevent repeat operation the plunger mechanism 47 carries a rack 47a (FIGURE 18) with which a pawl 47b cooperates.

Because of the space adjustment of the ejector mechanisms in accordance with hopper capacity and spacing, there is provided a series of spacer bars 471: (FIGURE 19) of variable widths which are positioned between adjacent plungers to prevent unauthorized repositioning and to close the gap between adjacent ejector mechanisms against entry from the outside through slot 17. These spacer bars have tongues engaged in notches on the upper edge of'a trim bar 47d mounted firmly in the machine frame.

Lock release means The coin rejector mechanism 23 includes a square rotatable stud shaft 67 (FIGURE 10) that extends through the related frame end wall 22 and mounts thereon a fitting 68 having a diametrically tapered slot 69 (FIGURE 10a) on its free end to receive slidable therein the tapered end of a coupling fitting 71. This coupling fitting includes a tubular body 71a over which is telescoped a tubular fitting 72 having one end of an elongated square shaft 73 pinned thereto as by a pin 74. The shaft 73 is rotatable with stud shaft 67 but is resiliently connected thereto by a spring 75 (FIGURE 11) which has its ends connected to arms 76, 77 respectively, integral with the coupling fitting 71 and tubular fitting 72 respectively. This mode of coupling assures that the coin rejector stud shaft 67 may overcome the inertia of the square shaft 73 which carries the plunger lock release means now to be described. The shaft is supported by one or more brackets 73a which are readily openable to permit shaft removal.

Referring to FIGURE 10, the shaft 73 mounts a series of lock release means 78, best shown in FIGURE 13. These lock release means are alike and are spaced apart longitudinally on the shaft 73 so as to be located one for cooperation with the tail piece 66 of a related plunger mechanism 45. To this end the shaft 73, with its lock release means, extends across the width of the machine beneath and forwardly of the plunger mechanism mounting brackets (FIGURES 3 and 7).

More specifically (FIGURE 13), each lock release means 78 comprises a disc 79 and a cam element 81. The disc 79 has a square aperture fitted over a shaft 73 so as to be rotatable therewith. It has, on one face, incremental markings 82 each representative of its movement in response to the deposit in the coin rejector mechanism of a coin having a value of five cents. Also, on said face is a series of circumferentially spaced nubs 83. The cam element 81, which is rotatable relative to shaft 73, has on its face disposed toward the disc 79 an annular ratchet 84 that engages with nubs 83 when the two are urged into contact one with the other. Each cam element 81 has a low land 81a.

The related discs 79 and cam elements 81 are held shaft 73 between adjacent assemblies. At the end of said.

shaft, opposite to its end connected to the coin rejector mechanism, there is arranged a tensioned coil spring 86 which bears against the endmost disc-cam assembly so as to urge all assemblies and the interposed sleeves together and to the right as viewed in FIGURE 10.

As will be discussed more fully hereinafter the position of the low land 81a on each cam element 81 is selectively located with respect to the incremental markings 82 so as to selectively control the unlocking of a related plunger mechanism in response to the deposit in the coin rejector mechanism of a coin or coins having a predetermined value. Adjustment of said land positions is effected easily and quickly by moving the selected cam element to the left (FIGURE 10) against the action of spring 86 sufliciently to disengage the related nubs 83 and ratchet 84 whereupon the cam element can be rotated for repositionmg.

Vending operation Operation of die device insofar as it has been described is substantially as follows:

Assuming that the package of merchandise or other article to be vented has a purchase price of 25, the customer will deposit into the coin rejector mechanism 23 coins having a total value of twenty-five cents. As is well understood this can be five nickels, two dimes and one nickel, one dime and three nickels, or a quarter. When the total required amount of coins have been deposited, the coin rejector mechanism has been actuated to rotate its rotatable element which includes stud shaft 67, and in turn rotates shaft 73 at a distance equal to five incremental markings on the discs 79. The cam element 81 on the lock release means 78 associated with the column of merchandise having a 25 value will have been previously set (as shown in- FIGURE 12) with its index pointer 87 spotted at the fifth incremental marking. Thus, when the shaft has been rotated as aforesaid, the low land 81a of the said lock release means 78 will have been carried beneath the tail piece 66 of the related plunger mechanism 45. This permits said tail piece to drop downwardly thus carrying lock lever 57 out of the path of plunger shoulder 55. The plunger is now free to be pulled outwardly.

Now, if the merchandise to be purchased has a value of 10, the customer will deposit a dime or two nickels in the coin rejector mechanism. The shaft 73 will then rotate in a distance equal to two incremental markings and since the lock release means 78 associated with the hopper containing merchandise having a value of ten cents will have been set at the second incremental marking on disc 79, the related plunger mechanism 47 will be unlocked and can be operated.

Such outward pulling of the plunger mechanism 47 carries the load trigger 52 forwardly out from beneath the stack of merchandise whereupon the load trigger assumes an upright extended position forwardly of the lowermost package of merchandise in the stack. The plunger now is pushed inwardly back to its initial start position. During this return movement the load trigger 52 engages and pushes the lowermost package of merchandise 39 rearwardly out from beneath the stack whereupon it falls into the delivery trough 88 (FIGURE 3) for delivery to the customer through front wall opening 16.

Plunger block out mechanism as at 92a to admit the block-out plate 89 and the balls are of such number as to substantially fill the tube except for slight spacing equal to the thickness of the block-out plate. Thus, when one plate 89 is disposed between adjacent balls 91 during plunger operation, the balls are held so closely together that the block-out plate of a second plunger mechanism cannot enter between adjacent balls, and operation of a second plunger mechanism is prevented.

Coin acceptance and reset mechanism Coins passing through the coin rejector mechanism drop into a coin receiver hopper 93 (FIGURE 9) which is provided with a pair of discharge gates 94, 95. When the gate 95 is opened the coins fall into a chute 96 that delivers the coins to a cash box (not shown). When the gate 94 is opened, the coins drop into a chute 9 7 which conveys the coins to the coin return opening 18 for recovery by the customer.

Referring now to FIGURES 7 and 9, plunger actuation functions to actuate means for opening the coin acceptance gate 95. As shown best in FIGURE 7, the ejector mechanism 45 has on its innermost end a downturned finger 98 that lies rearwardly of a damper plate 99 that is common to all of the ejector mechanisms. This damper plate is mounted firmly on a rotatable shaft 101 which carries firmly an arm 102, located outside the end wall 22, having pivoted thereto a link 103 (FIGURE 9) provided with alug 104. When a plunger is pulled outwardly, the damper plate 99 is swung forwardly about its pivot 101 rocking the arm 102 downwardly to pull the link in a downward direction. When the link 103 moves downwardly, its lug 104 strikes against and depresses a roller carrying arm 105 integral with gate 95, thus swinging the gate about its pivot 106 into open coin discharge position.

Movement of the arm 102 also functions to reset the coin rejector mechanism; that is, return the lock release means 78 to their initial start positions. Since such reset mechanism is well known and constitutes a part of the coin rejector mechanism, it is sufiicient to note that it includes a reset pin 107 which is best shown in FIGURE 9. This pin is carried in an upward direction (from dotted to full line positions shown in FIGURE 9) when the coin rejector mechanism is actuated to set the lock release means 78. Associated with this pin is a draw bar 108 having an offset upper end 109 that overhangs the path of said pin and which carries on its lower end a spring-washer assembly 110. The free end of arm 102 embraces the draw bar 108 loosely above said spring-washer assembly 110. Thus, when arm 102 is rocked downwardly to actuate the coin acceptance gate 95, it also pulls the draw bar down there- Scavenger and coin return In instances when a customer desires the return of a coin or coins deposited into the coin rejector mechanism and located in the coin receiving hopper 3, a lever 111 (FIGURE 9) is actuated. When this occurs, the reset pin 107 is actuated also to clear the machine. This lever 111, which projects from the front of the machine, is pivoted at 112 to the end wall 22 mounting the coin rejector mechanism and it has depending therefrom a strap 113. Said lever strap 113 carries a lateral extension 116 that engages and operates the conventional scavenger roller 117 on the coin rejector mechanism 23 so as to clear said mechanism of any coins retained therein. Such coins will drop into the coin receiving hopper 93.

Still referring to FIGURE 9, upwardly of the lower extremity of said strap 113 is a strike plate 114 including a flange 115. The strike plate 114 is slidable relative to the strap 113, having a pin and slot connection 116 therewith. When moved downwardly with the strap 113, the flange 115 will strike and depress a flange 117a on an extension of the draw bar 108 so as to depress said draw bar and actuate the reset pin 107 for returning the lock release means 78 to initial start position. As the strap 113 continues downwardly, a bottom flange 118 thereon is carried into engagement with the coin return gate lever 119 which operates to open the coin return gate 94 and discharge the coin or coins into the coin return chute 97.

When the scavenger 111 is operated it is necessary to prevent actuation of any one of the ejector mechanisms 45 which may have been conditioned for operation by the presence of coins in the coin rejector mechanism. This locking is accomplished by providing (FIGURES 15, 16) on strap 113, a roller 121, located inside the end wall 22, that engages with and rides along the back edge of a block-out plate 122 which is urged forwardly thereby into a space between adjacent balls 91 in tube 92, a slot being provided in said tube to receive said plate therethrough. Thus, it will be seen that actuation of the scavenger lever 111 not only returns coins to the customer but also clears the coin rejector mechanism of coins and blocks operation of any one or more of the ejector mechanisms 45.

Although I have described a preferred embodiment of my invention, in considerable detail, it will be understood that the description thereof is intended to be illustrative, rather than restrictive, as many details of the structure disclosed and described may be modified or changed without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, I do not desire to be restricted to the exact construction described.

I claim:

1. In a vending machine, a plurality of hoppers for containing columns of articles to be vended,'dispensing mechanisms one disposed at the bottom of each hopper and each movable between first and second positions, separate means normally locking each of said dispensing mechanisms in a first position, means responsive to the demand of a purchaser for unlocking selected of said mechanisms to permit them to be moved into a second position, said unlocking means comprising coin controlled means individual to each dispensing mechanism operable upon the presence in a coin rejector mechanism common to all dispensing mechanisms of a coin or coins of a proper denomination, means operable upon initial movement of an unlocked dispensing mechanism from a first portion into a second position to lock the remaining mechanisms against such movement, and means individual to each said dispensing mechanism to lock said mechanisms in a first position when no article is present in the related hopper.

2. In a vending machine, a plurality of vertically arranged hoppers each for c ntaining a column of article to be discharged one at a time, means to adjust each hopper to accommodate a column of articles of a given size, an article discharge mechanism at the lower end of each hopper, separate means normally locking each of said article discharge mechanisms against operation, a plurality of means one mechanically associated with each article discharge mechanism each operable to unlock the related article discharge mechanism, and coin actuated rejector mechanism common to all of said plurality of means.

3. In the vending machine recited in claim 2, in which each unlocking means comprises a pair of cooperating discs mounted on a common shaft operably connected to said coin rejector mechanism.

4. In a vending machine including a plurality of merchandise hoppers, merchandise ejector mechanisms one associated with each hopper, lock release means individual to each ejector mechanism, a shaft mounting all of said lock release means, coin rejector means including a rotatable stud shaft, and a resilient coupling connecting said stud shaft with the shaft mounting the lock release means.

5. In a vending machine, a plurality of hoppers for merchandise, merchandise discharge mechanisms one associated with each hopper, separate means normally locking each of said discharge mechanisms, separate lock release means associated one with each locking means, a coin rejector mechanism operably connected with all of said lock release means, and means responsive to insertion of a coin or coins of predetermined denominational value operable to unlock one or more but not all of said discharge mechanisms.

6. In a vending machine, a plurality of hoppers, for merchandise, discharge mechanisms one associated with each hopper, means normally locking each discharge mechanism, separate means operably associated with each locking means operable to unlock said locking means, said unlocking means each comprising a pair of discs rotatably associated one with the other, one of said discs having value indices thereon, and a low land on the other disc selectively positionable with respect to said indices for cooperation with a respective locking means.

7. In the vending machine recited in claim 6, in which aill pf said unlocking means are mounted on a common s a t.

8. In the vending machine recited in claim 6, in which coin rejector mechanism is operably connected with all of said unlocking means.

9. In a vending machine including a plurality of merchandise hoppers each adjustable to accommodate a column of articles of a given size, merchandise ejector mechanisms, said merchandise ejector mechanisms being adjustable toward and away from each other to locate one in operable position relative to each hopper, and spacer bars to retain said ejector mechanisms in adjusted position.

10. The vending machine recited in claim 9, in which the bars comprise removable spacers one between each pair of ejector mechanisms.

11. In a vending machine including a plurality of merchandise hoppers arranged side by side and each adjustable in size and relative to each other to accommodate columns of articles of merchandise of given sizes, a series of merchandise ejector mechanisms arranged side by side below said merchandise hoppers, said merchandise ejector mechanisms being individually adjustable toward and away from each other to locate one in operable position relative to each hopper, and means to lock said ejector mechanisms in adjusted positions.

12. The vending machine recited in claim 11, in which the ejector mechanisms normally are locked to prevent their being actuated, and individual coin controlled means are arranged side by side and associated one with each merchandise ejector mechanism for unlocking a related mechanism,

13. The vending machine recited in claim 12, in which the individual coin controlled means are individually adjustable to locate them for cooperation with related ejector mechanisms.

14. In a vending machine having front and back transverse horizontal rails, an upper rail vertically disposed above the backrail, a plurality of longitudinally spaced recesses in each of said rails, said recesses being uniformly spaced apart and in vertical and horizontal alignment, at least a pair of upstanding merchandise hopper walls arranged parallel to one another side by side and bridging the space between the front and back rails and the upper and lower rails, said walls being engageable in selected aligned recesses in said rails for mounting said walls in place, and movable means provided above the front rail to engage the upper margins of each hopper wall forwardly of the top rail.

15. A vending machine comprising, in combination, a plurality of merchandise hoppers arranged side by side and each adjustable in size and relative to each other, a support surface extending beneath said hoppers, normally locked dispensing mechanisms one associated with the bottom of each hopper mounted on and adjustable along said support surface, a plurality of means one associated with each dispensing mechanism each operable to unlock a related dispensing mechanism, a rotatable rod mounting said means, each of said means being longitudinally adjustable independently of each other on said rod and each being selectively adjustable to control selective unlocking of the related dispensing mechanism, and coin controlled means operable to cause said rod to rotate a predetermined amount so as to cause unlocking of selected of said dispensing mechanisms.

16. In a vending machine, a plurality of hoppers for containing columns of articles to be vended, dispensing mechanisms one disposed at the bottom of each hopper and each movable between first and second positions, separate means normally locking each of said dispensing mechanisms in a first position, means responsive to the demand of a purchaser for unlocking selected of said mechanisms to permit them to be moved into a second position, said unlocking means comprising a pair of relatively adjustable rotary elements operably associated with the locking means individual to each dispensing mechanism operable upon the presence in a coin rejector mech anism of a coin or coins of a proper denomination, means operable upon initial movement of an unlocked dispensing mechanism from a first position into a second position to lock the remaining mechanisms against such movement, and means individual to each said dispensing mechanism to lock said mechanisms in a first position when no article is present in the related hopper.

17. In a vending machine, a plurality of vertically to be discharged one at a time, means to adjust each hopper to accommodate a column of articles of a given size, an article discharge mechanism at the lower end of each hopper, separate means normally locking each of said article discharge mechanisms against operation, a plurality of means one mechanically associated with each article discharge mechanism each operable to unlock the related article discharge mechanism, said article discharge mechanisms and unlocking means being mounted for adjustment, and coin actuated rejector mechanism common to all of said plurality of means.

18. In a vending machine, a plurality of hoppers for merchandise, merchandise discharge mechanisms one associated with each hopper, separated means normally locking each of said discharge mechanisms, separate lock release means each adjustable to vary the unlocking position thereof associated one with each locking means, a coin rejector mechanism operably connected with all of said lock release means, and means responsive to insertion of a coin or coins of predetermined denominational value operable to unlock one or more but not all of said discharge mechanisms.

19. In a merchandise vending machine including a plurality of hoppers for containing articles to be vended, merchandise selecting and dispensing mechanism associated with each hopper, coin receiving mechanism, means operable to dispense selected merchandise upon deposit of a coin or coins of predetermined value in the coin receiving mechanism, and closure means for said hoppers and mechanisms, in which said closure means includes a merchandise display panel having a transparent portion and a metallic portion underlying said transparent portion, and indicia related to merchandise in a hopper mangnetically detachably secured to said metallic portion of the display panel.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 831,169 9/1906 Long 221-125 X 2,015,351 9/1935 Morin. 2,272,682 2/ 1942 Srodulski 221-4 X 2,513,595 7/ 1950 Stewart 221-125 2,993,581 7/ 1961 Holstein et al. 3,010,556 11/1961 Wawrzonek et al. 194-2 1,971,298 8/ 1934 Dorman 194-63 2,105,644 1/ 1938 Gebert et al. 194-2 3,018,001 1/ 1962 Combs 211-49 3,249,198 5/ 1966 Sherman 221-131 X 2,610,759 9/ 1952 Slade 220-22 3,300,086 1/ 1967 Wood 221-242 X arranged hoppers each for containing a column of articles STANLEY H- TOLLBERG, Primary Examiner, 

1. IN A VENDING MACHINE, A PLURALITY OF HOPPERS FOR CONTAINING COLUMNS OF ARTICLES TO BE VENDED, DISPENSING MECHANISM ONE DISPOSED AT THE BOTTOM OF EACH HOPPER AND EACH MOVABLE FIRST AND SECOND POSITION, SEPARATE MEANS NORMALLY LOCKING EACH OF SAID DISPENSING MECHANISMS IN A FIRST POSITION, MEANS RESPONSIVE TO THE DEMAND OF A PURCHASER FOR UNLOCKING SELECTED OF SAID MECHANISMS TO PERMIT THEM TO BE MOVED INTO A SECOND POSITION, SAID UNLOCKING MEANS COMPRISING COIN CONTROLLED MEANS INDIVIDUAL TO EACH DISPENSING MECHANISM OPERABLE UPON THE 